Thursday of the Third Week of Advent
Lectionary: 196
Lectionary: 196
The LORD spoke to Ahaz:
Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God;
let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky!
But Ahaz answered,
"I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!"
Then Isaiah said:
Listen, O house of David!
Is it not enough for you to weary men,
must you also weary my God?
Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign:
the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and shall name him Emmanuel.
Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God;
let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky!
But Ahaz answered,
"I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!"
Then Isaiah said:
Listen, O house of David!
Is it not enough for you to weary men,
must you also weary my God?
Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign:
the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and shall name him Emmanuel.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6
R. (see 7c and 10b) Let the Lord enter; he is the king of
glory.
The LORD's are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
R. Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.
R. Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
R. Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.
The LORD's are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
R. Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.
R. Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
R. Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.
Gospel Lk 1:26-38
In the sixth month,
the angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin's name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
"Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end."
But Mary said to the angel,
"How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?"
And the angel said to her in reply,
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God."
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word."
Then the angel departed from her.
the angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin's name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
"Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end."
But Mary said to the angel,
"How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?"
And the angel said to her in reply,
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God."
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word."
Then the angel departed from her.
www.usccb.org
Meditation: "Hail, O favored one, the Lord is
with you!"
How does God reveal his favor to us? In
the psalms we pray, "Lord, show me a sign of your favor" (Psalm
86:17). In the Old Testament God performed many signs and miracles to
demonstrate his love and mercy for his people, such as their deliverance from
slavery in Egypt and the miraculous crossing of the Red sea on dry land (Psalm
78:43-53). When Ahaz, king of Judah and heir to the throne of David (735 B.C.)
was surrounded by forces that threatened to destroy him and his people, God
offered him a sign to reassure him that God would not abandon the promise he
made to David and his descendants. King Ahaz, however, had lost hope in God and
refused to ask for a sign of favor. God, nonetheless, gave a sign to assure his
people that he would indeed give them a Savior who would rule with peace and
righteousness (Isaiah 7:11ff).
We see the fulfillment of Isaiah’s
prophecy and the unfolding of God's plan of redemption in the events leading up
to the Incarnation, the birth of the Messiah King. The new era of salvation
begins with the miraculous conception of Jesus in the womb of Mary. This child
to be born is conceived by the gracious action of the Holy Spirit upon Mary,
who finds favor with God (Luke 1:28). As Eve was the mother of all humanity
doomed to sin, now Mary becomes the mother of the new Adam who will father a
new humanity by his grace (Romans 5:12-21). This child to be conceived in her
womb is the fulfillment of all God’s promises. He will be “great” and “Son of
the Most High” and “King” and his name shall be called “Jesus” (Luke 1:31-32),
which means “the Lord saves.” “He will save his people from their sins”
(Matthew 1:21). The angel repeats to Mary, the daughter of the house of David,
the promise made to King David: "The Lord God will give to him the throne
of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of
his kingdom there will be no end" (2 Samuel 7:12-16, Isaiah 9:6-7, Luke
1:32-33).
How does Mary respond to the word of God
delivered by the angel Gabriel? She knows she is hearing something beyond human
capability. It will surely take a miracle which surpasses all that God has done
previously. Her question, “how shall this be, since I have no husband” is not prompted
by doubt or skepticism, but by wonderment! She is a true hearer of the Word and
she immediately responds with faith and trust. Mary's prompt response of
"yes" to the divine message is a model of faith for all believers.
Mary believed God's promises even when they seemed impossible. She was full of
grace because she trusted that what God said was true and would be fulfilled.
She was willing and eager to do God's will, even if it seemed difficult or
costly. Mary is the “mother of God” because God becomes incarnate when he takes
on flesh in her womb. When we pray the Nicene Creed we state our
confession of faith in this great mystery: “For us men and for our salvation he
came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit, he became incarnate of
the Virgin Mary, and was made man”. God gives us grace and he expects us to
respond with the same willingness, obedience, and heartfelt trust as Mary did.
When God commands he also gives the help, strength, and means to respond. We
can either yield to his grace or resist and go our own way. Do you believe in
God's promises and do you yield to his grace?
"Heavenly
Father, you offer us abundant grace, mercy, and forgiveness through your Son,
Our Lord Jesus Christ. Help me to live a grace-filled life as Mary did by
believing in your promises and by giving you my unqualified 'yes' to your will
and plan for my life."
www.dailyscripture.net
 Mary’s Fiat |
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Thursday of the Third Week of Advent
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Father Edward McIlmail, LC
Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth month,
the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to
a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the
virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The
Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered
what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be
afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in
your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and
will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the
throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How
can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her
in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High
will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the
Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in
her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for
nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of
the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel
departed from her.
Introductory Prayer: Lord, as I
contemplate the example of Mary’s simplicity and generosity, my heart burns
within me. If only I could be as docile as she was. In my desire to improve,
I trust in your help and mercy. As I begin this prayer, I humbly place myself
in your presence. I come, Lord, to do your will.
Petition: Grant me, Lord, a love for the example of
Our Lady.
1. A Personal Call: We notice the very human details of
the Annunciation. It happened in a specific place, to a specific person. So
it is with God’s plan. He doesn’t call us en masse. He calls each one of us
personally, because he loves each of us as a son or daughter. The Catholic
faith is a personal relationship with Our Lord. Do I ever feel the opposite?
Do I ever feel like just a number? That’s not how God intends my faith to be.
My vocation is personal. Do I respond likewise in a personal way to God?
2. Beyond All Hopes: God’s people had long awaited a
Messiah. Mary also would have looked forward to a Savior. Yet it likely would
not have occurred to her that she would ever be the mother of the Redeemer. We too might wonder: When
will God send someone to save the world in our time? In fact, he tries to do
just that ― through each one of us. Each of us can be a saint; each of us can
help save the world, with God’s grace. Likewise, each of us is called to a
great and unique vocation, whether ordained, consecrated or lay. To what
great mission is God calling me? Do I realize that my life can be great, if
lived with sufficient love?
3. Let It Be: Mary’s fiat ― “Let it be done to me” ― was
the response that brought joy to the angels in heaven. A 14- or 15-year-old,
by her openness to God’s plan, would help to change the course of history.
We, too, are called to say “yes” to God and to build little civilizations of
love. Each generation can contribute to building the Kingdom. Do I see the
young people in my life as potential apostles? Do I respect them as persons
called to great things? Do I see my friends in the same way?
Conversation with Christ: Lord, your great plan
for sending your Son into the world hinged on Mary’s “yes.” Let me learn from
her openness; let me say “yes” to what you ask.
Resolution: I will pray for a young person to have the
strength to follow a vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life.
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www.regnumchristi.com
THURSDAY,
DECEMBER 20
Advent Weekday
LUKE 1:26-38
(Isaiah 7:10-14; Psalm 24)
KEY VERSE: "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God" (v 30).
READING: After centuries of longing for the Messiah, the glorious announcement was made to a young woman who lived in Nazareth, an insignificant village in northern Israel. Her name was Mary (Hebrew: Miriam, the "exalted one"), As Mary pondered the joyful salutation to her, the angelic messenger urged her to have no fear as she had found favor with God. Mary's son would be conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. He would be the son of the Most High God, the Holy One, the everlasting King of all the earth who would rule eternally over the "house of Jacob" (v 33) fulfilling the promises made to King David (2 Sm 7:16). Jesus' name (Hebrew: Yeshua) implied his mission: he would be the Savior of all people. Mary responded with faithful submission to the will of God. She was an example of those whom Jesus declared blessed because of their purity of heart and desire to do what God required of them (Mt 5:3-10).
REFLECTING: What meaning do the names given to Jesus in the annunciation have for you?
PRAYING: Mary of Nazareth, help me to obey God's will in all the decisions of my life.
Advent Weekday
LUKE 1:26-38
(Isaiah 7:10-14; Psalm 24)
KEY VERSE: "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God" (v 30).
READING: After centuries of longing for the Messiah, the glorious announcement was made to a young woman who lived in Nazareth, an insignificant village in northern Israel. Her name was Mary (Hebrew: Miriam, the "exalted one"), As Mary pondered the joyful salutation to her, the angelic messenger urged her to have no fear as she had found favor with God. Mary's son would be conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. He would be the son of the Most High God, the Holy One, the everlasting King of all the earth who would rule eternally over the "house of Jacob" (v 33) fulfilling the promises made to King David (2 Sm 7:16). Jesus' name (Hebrew: Yeshua) implied his mission: he would be the Savior of all people. Mary responded with faithful submission to the will of God. She was an example of those whom Jesus declared blessed because of their purity of heart and desire to do what God required of them (Mt 5:3-10).
REFLECTING: What meaning do the names given to Jesus in the annunciation have for you?
PRAYING: Mary of Nazareth, help me to obey God's will in all the decisions of my life.
O KEY
OF DAVID
O Clavis David: "O Key of David, O Royal Power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of heaven: Come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom." See Isaiah 9:6; 22:22
O Clavis David: "O Key of David, O Royal Power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of heaven: Come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom." See Isaiah 9:6; 22:22
www.daily-word-of-life.com
Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory
‘Nothing
is impossible to God.’
How often do we worry about life, straining over everyday problems and cares? We may find ourselves asking: Does God really care for me? But we know God does, and is a cause for happiness.
We have seen God’s sign—the woman with child: and what a child! My God, the creator of the universe, you were that little baby. And you became so because you care for us and want to help us become all we are destined to be. So our heart sings, our burdens are lifted. This is the greatest gift we can ever receive. This Christmas, along with Mary, I want to say yes to you in my life.
www.churchresources.info
December 20
Servant of God Elizabeth of Austria
(1554-1592)
Servant of God Elizabeth of Austria
(1554-1592)
The daughter of the German Emperor
Maximilian II, Elizabeth was only 15 years old when she was married to King
Charles IX of France. Widowed just four years later, she returned to Vienna,
resolving not to marry again.
Elizabeth was an
example to all. She lived a simple, prayer-filled life, visited churches,
attended devotions. While avoiding the public eye as much as possible, she
openly joined the Third Order of St. Francis, served the sick in the hospitals
and in their homes, supplying medicine for those in need. On some Thursdays she
would invite the poor to her table in remembrance of the Last Supper.
She was drawn to
perform the menial tasks in the convent of the Poor Clares that she had
founded, frequently cooking meals for the poor there. As her patron St. Francis
before her, she was concerned with the upkeep of churches. She also saw to the
education of young men for the priesthood to serve those churches.
Elizabeth died
at about age 38, having accomplished so much for the glory of God and the good
of her fellow citizens in a short time. As the imperial city of Vienna mourned
the loss of its humble queen, miracles occurred at her tomb.
Comment:
Elizabeth bucked the system into which she was born. Daughter of an emperor and wife of a king, she shunned court life for prayer and care for the needy. The society into which we were born has no noble caste, but it does hold much the same values as Elizabeth’s family, ranking wealth and importance above goodness and generosity. With a little help from Elizabeth, perhaps we too can find the strength to buck the system.
Elizabeth bucked the system into which she was born. Daughter of an emperor and wife of a king, she shunned court life for prayer and care for the needy. The society into which we were born has no noble caste, but it does hold much the same values as Elizabeth’s family, ranking wealth and importance above goodness and generosity. With a little help from Elizabeth, perhaps we too can find the strength to buck the system.
December 20
St. Dominic of Silos
(c. 1000-1073)
St. Dominic of Silos
(c. 1000-1073)
It’s not the founder of the Dominicans
we honor today, but there’s a poignant story that connects both Dominics.
Our saint today,
Dominic of Silos, was born in Spain around the year 1000 into a peasant family.
As a young boy he spent time in the fields, where he welcomed the solitude. He
became a Benedictine priest and served in numerous leadership positions.
Following a dispute with the king over property, Dominic and two other monks
were exiled. They established a new monastery in what at first seemed an
unpromising location. Under Dominic’s leadership, however, it became one of the
most famous houses in Spain. Many healings were reported there.
About 100 years
after Dominic’s death, a young woman made a pilgrimage to his tomb. There
Dominic of Silos appeared to her and assured her that she would bear another
son. The woman was Joan of Aza, and the son she bore grew up to be the
"other" Dominic—the one who founded the Dominicans.
For many years
thereafter, the staff used by St. Dominic of Silos was brought to the royal
palace whenever a queen of Spain was in labor. That practice ended in 1931.
www.americancatholic.org
LECTIO: LUKE 1: 26-38
Lectio:
Thursday,
December 20, 2012
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1) Opening prayer
God of the poor and the humble,
we thank you today for choosing Mary
as the Virgin Mother of Jesus, your Son.
Her faith and willing service
opened the way to your new world.
Dispose us to seek your will
and to cooperate with your plans,
that we too, like Mary,
may give to the world its Saviour,
Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord.
we thank you today for choosing Mary
as the Virgin Mother of Jesus, your Son.
Her faith and willing service
opened the way to your new world.
Dispose us to seek your will
and to cooperate with your plans,
that we too, like Mary,
may give to the world its Saviour,
Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord.
2) Gospel Reading –
Luke 1, 26-38
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent
by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man
named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
He went in and said to her, 'Rejoice, you who enjoy God's favour! The Lord is with you.' She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, 'Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God's favour. Look! You are to conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.'
Mary said to the angel, 'But how can this come about, since I have no knowledge of man?' The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. And I tell you this too: your cousin Elizabeth also, in her old age, has conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.'
Mary said, 'You see before you the Lord's servant, let it happen to me as you have said.' And the angel left her.
He went in and said to her, 'Rejoice, you who enjoy God's favour! The Lord is with you.' She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, 'Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God's favour. Look! You are to conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.'
Mary said to the angel, 'But how can this come about, since I have no knowledge of man?' The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. And I tell you this too: your cousin Elizabeth also, in her old age, has conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.'
Mary said, 'You see before you the Lord's servant, let it happen to me as you have said.' And the angel left her.
3) Reflection
• The visit of the Angel to Mary reminds us of
the visit of God to different women of the Old Testament: Sarah, mother of
Isaac (Gen 18, 9-15), Anne, mother of Samuel (1 Sam 1, 9-18), the mother of
Samson (Jg 13, 2-5). To all of them was announced the birth of a son with an
important mission in the realization of God’s plan.
• The account begins with the expression “in the sixth month”. It is the sixth month of the pregnancy of Elizabeth. The concrete need of Elizabeth, a woman advanced in age who is expecting her first son with the risk of delivery, this is the background of all this episode. Elizabeth is mentioned at the beginning (Lk 1, 26) and at the end of the visit of the angel (Lk 1, 36.39).
• The angel says: “Rejoice, you who enjoy God’s favour, the Lord is with you”!. Similar words were said also to Moses (Ex 3, 12), to Jeremiah (Jer 1, 8), to Gideon (Jg 6, 12) and to other persons with an important mission in God’s plan. Mary is surprised at the greeting and tries to understand the significance of those words. She is realistic. She wants to understand. She does not accept just any inspiration.
• The angel answers: “Do not be afraid!” Just as it happened in the visit of the angel to Zechariah, here also the first greeting of God is always: “Do not be afraid!”. Immediately the angel recalls the promises of the past which will be fulfilled thanks to the son who will be born and who has to receive the name of Jesus. He will be called the Son of the Most High and in him will be realized the Kingdom of God. This is the explanation of the angel in such a way that Mary is not afraid.
• Mary is aware of, knows the mission which she is about to receive, but she continues to be realistic. She does not allow herself to be drawn by the greatness of the offer, and observes her condition. She analyses the offer according to certain criteria which she has available. Humanly speaking, it was not possible: “But how can this come about, I have no knowledge of man?”
• The angel explains that the Holy Spirit, present in God’s Word since the Creation (Genesis 1, 2), is capable to realize things which seem impossible. This is why, the Holy One who will be born from Mary will be called Son of God. The miracle repeats itself up until today. When the Word of God is accepted by the poor, something new happens, thanks to the force of the Holy Spirit! Something new and surprising such as a son is born of a virgin or a son is born to a woman of advanced age, like Elizabeth, of whom all said that she was barren, that she could not have children! And the angel adds: “See, your cousin Elizabeth also, in her old age, has conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God”.
• The response of the angel clarifies everything for Mary, and she surrenders: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, may it be done to me according to your word”. Mary uses for herself the title of Servant, Handmaid of the Lord. This title of Isaiah, which represents the mission of the people not as a privilege, but rather as a service to the other people (Is 42, 1-9; 49, 3-6). Later Jesus will define his mission as a service: “I have not come to be served, but to serve!” (Mt 20, 28). He learnt this from his Mother!
• The account begins with the expression “in the sixth month”. It is the sixth month of the pregnancy of Elizabeth. The concrete need of Elizabeth, a woman advanced in age who is expecting her first son with the risk of delivery, this is the background of all this episode. Elizabeth is mentioned at the beginning (Lk 1, 26) and at the end of the visit of the angel (Lk 1, 36.39).
• The angel says: “Rejoice, you who enjoy God’s favour, the Lord is with you”!. Similar words were said also to Moses (Ex 3, 12), to Jeremiah (Jer 1, 8), to Gideon (Jg 6, 12) and to other persons with an important mission in God’s plan. Mary is surprised at the greeting and tries to understand the significance of those words. She is realistic. She wants to understand. She does not accept just any inspiration.
• The angel answers: “Do not be afraid!” Just as it happened in the visit of the angel to Zechariah, here also the first greeting of God is always: “Do not be afraid!”. Immediately the angel recalls the promises of the past which will be fulfilled thanks to the son who will be born and who has to receive the name of Jesus. He will be called the Son of the Most High and in him will be realized the Kingdom of God. This is the explanation of the angel in such a way that Mary is not afraid.
• Mary is aware of, knows the mission which she is about to receive, but she continues to be realistic. She does not allow herself to be drawn by the greatness of the offer, and observes her condition. She analyses the offer according to certain criteria which she has available. Humanly speaking, it was not possible: “But how can this come about, I have no knowledge of man?”
• The angel explains that the Holy Spirit, present in God’s Word since the Creation (Genesis 1, 2), is capable to realize things which seem impossible. This is why, the Holy One who will be born from Mary will be called Son of God. The miracle repeats itself up until today. When the Word of God is accepted by the poor, something new happens, thanks to the force of the Holy Spirit! Something new and surprising such as a son is born of a virgin or a son is born to a woman of advanced age, like Elizabeth, of whom all said that she was barren, that she could not have children! And the angel adds: “See, your cousin Elizabeth also, in her old age, has conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God”.
• The response of the angel clarifies everything for Mary, and she surrenders: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, may it be done to me according to your word”. Mary uses for herself the title of Servant, Handmaid of the Lord. This title of Isaiah, which represents the mission of the people not as a privilege, but rather as a service to the other people (Is 42, 1-9; 49, 3-6). Later Jesus will define his mission as a service: “I have not come to be served, but to serve!” (Mt 20, 28). He learnt this from his Mother!
4) Reflection
• What struck you the most in the visit of the
Angel Gabriel to Mary?
• Jesus praises his Mother when he says: “Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it” (Lk 11, 28). How does Mary relate to the Word of God during the visit of the Angel?
• Jesus praises his Mother when he says: “Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it” (Lk 11, 28). How does Mary relate to the Word of God during the visit of the Angel?
5) Concluding Prayer
To Yahweh belong the earth and all it
contains,
the world and all who live there;
it is he who laid its foundations on the seas,
on the flowing waters fixed it firm. (Ps 24,1-2)
the world and all who live there;
it is he who laid its foundations on the seas,
on the flowing waters fixed it firm. (Ps 24,1-2)
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